Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH09189’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Petunia  named ‘KLEPH09189’ particularly characterized by its purple flowers having a white border, compact, semi-trailing growth habit, very good rain tolerance, and continuous blooming habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH09189’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Petunia, botanically known as Petunia hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPH09189’. ‘KLEPH09189’ was discovered as a seedling resulting from a cross conducted in summer 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Petunia plant, ‘PH05 0248’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male Petunia plant, ‘PH06 0001’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in summer 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation in Stuttgart, Germany for more than 50 generations. ‘KLEPH09189’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal commercial practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Purple flowers having a white border;     -   2. Compact, semi-trailing growth habit;     -   3. Very good rain tolerance; and     -   4. Continuous blooming habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows mature flowers, flower buds and foliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph was taken in May 2009 of a 5-month-old plant grown from rooted cuttings in an 11 centimeter pot in a greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPH09189’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in May 2009 on 5-month-old plants in 11 centimeter pots that were pinched once approximately one week after potting and grown in a greenhouse. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.         -   Genus and species.—Petunia hybrid.         -   Common name.—Petunia. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘PH05 0248’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0001’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—Mounding, tight.         -   Habit.—Semi-trailing.         -   Height (from top of soil).—14.0 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—18.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Vegetative propagation by terminal tip cuttings             or in-vitro propagation of shoot tips.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—9 weeks.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—14 days.         -   Root description.—Moderate density and moderate branching,             white roots. -   Stems:     -   -   Average number (basal).—6.         -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the             tip).—9.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.0 cm.         -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—4.0 mm to 8.0 mm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 144B.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: 2.0 cm to 3.5 cm. Width: 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic.         -   Margin.—Weak undulation.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Immature and mature leaf.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 137A.             Lower surface: RHS 137D.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Venation.—Pinnate. Venation color (both upper and lower             surfaces): RHS 144C.         -   Petioles.—Absent. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.         -   Size.—Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.         -   Color at tight bud.—RHS N187B.         -   Immature flower color.—RHS N88B.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuous flowering             during the summer.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower.         -   Number of flowers per node.—1.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—5 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 144B. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.             Texture: Smooth. -   Flowers:     -   -   Shape.—Cup-shaped.         -   Size.—Diameter (flower face): 5.5 cm. Depth (total length of             flower): 4.0 cm. Funnel: Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter (at             opening): 1.0 cm. Outside texture: Smooth.         -   Mature flower.—Face/Margin color: Upper surface: RHS N78 and             RHS N155B. Lower surface: RHS N82B and RHS N155D. Corolla             tube: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Color inside (throat): RHS 86A.             Color outside: RHS N186C. Petals: Number: 5. Apex: Rounded             to emarginate. Base: Uniform. Margin: Entire, slightly             undulating. Waviness: Low. Lobation: Low. Texture (both             upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.         -   Calyx arrangement.—Actinomorphic.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Color: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower             surface: RHS 138B. Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape:             Lanceolate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Open. Margin: Entire.             Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needlelike with elliptic head.             Filament: Length: 2.0 cm to 2.3 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color:             RHS 86D. Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 86D. Length:             0.1 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 86D. Amount:             Sparse.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 2.2 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.             Stigma: Color: RHS N138A. Shape: Oval. Length: 0.2 cm.             Diameter: 0.2 cm. Style: Color: RHS 138D. Length: 2.0 cm.             Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Smooth. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: No common diseases observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLEPH09189’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘PH05 0248’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH09189’ has very high branching, while ‘PH05 0248’ has poor branching.

‘KLEPH09189’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘PH06 0001’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH09189’ has very high branching, while ‘PH06 0001’ has medium branching. In addition, ‘KLEPH09189’ has purple and white flowers (RHS N78 and RHS N155B), while ‘PH06 0001’ has red-purple and white flowers (RHS 72B and RHS 155B).

‘KLEPH09189’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘Fortunia Purple Picotee’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEPH09189’ has a mounding, semi-trailing growth habit, while ‘Fortunia Purple Picotee’ has an upright growth habit. In addition, the white border on the flowers of ‘KLEPH09189’ is stable, while the white border on the flowers of ‘Fortunia Purple Picotee’ is often unstable. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH09189’ as shown and described herein. 